Before long.
The masked, black-clothed raiders who attacked the Ironreach escorts were all captured and tied up.
"Lord Song, are you all right?"
At that moment, the minor clerk in charge of the relay station—who didn't even have an official rank—finally appeared outside Ian Song's room.
"I'm fine!"
Ian Song picked up his tea and took a sip as he spoke.
"My lord, about tonight..." The minor clerk looked anxious. He was the one who had brought the escort company into the relay station, but after this incident, if Ian Song reported it, losing his post would be the least of it—he might even be punished severely.
"Go on, it was an accident. I won't make a fuss." Ian Song waved his hand dismissively.
"Thank you, my lord!"
The minor clerk knelt and kowtowed to Ian Song before leaving.
"Son-in-law, are you really just going to let him off?"
Lily said, a bit dissatisfied.
Those masked men had barged into her room as well. If the ones who entered hadn't mysteriously tripped and fallen, she might've been in real danger. So, she was quite unhappy with the relay station's minor clerk.
"It's not easy for him either," Ian Song said with a smile.
Just then—
The Ironreach escorts had already brought the group of masked raiders to the main hall for interrogation.
The lead escort asked sternly, "Who are you, and why did you attack the Ironreach Escort Company?"
"Heh, Yang—if you know what's good for you, hand over the goods you're transporting and apologize to us. Then we'll let Ironreach go. Otherwise, your whole company is headed for destruction!"
Even though they'd become prisoners, the masked men were still extremely arrogant.
"Bullshit!"
One of the hot-tempered Ironreach escorts kicked the cultist to the ground, cursing at him.
"Kid, I won't forget this. You kicked me, so I'll pay you back double!" the cultist sneered darkly.
"Bastard, still threatening me? I'll kill you right now!"
The angry escort drew his saber, ready to strike, but the lead escort shouted, "Denver Deng, stand down!"
"Chief Yang, this bastard is way too arrogant. If I don't kill him, I'll never calm down!" Denver Deng protested.
"Enough! Step back!"
Seamus Yang said in a deep voice.
"Yes, sir!"
Though still angry, Denver Deng had no choice but to step aside.
The masked cultist grinned smugly. "Hahaha, looks like Chief Yang knows what's what. So, Chief Yang, have you made up your mind yet?"
Seamus Yang stared coldly at the masked cultist. "Speak. Who are you people, really? Just because you run your mouth, you think I'll hand over our cargo? You're seriously underestimating the Ironreach Escort Company!"
"Since you want to know, I'll tell you. We're all from the Black Heaven Cult. Whatever our cult wants, Ironreach can't keep!"
As the saying goes, 'a famous name casts a long shadow.' Hearing the name Black Heaven Cult, all the Ironreach escorts turned pale. The cult, also called the Black Heaven Demonic Cult, was notorious throughout the land. Its leader, the Black Heaven Demon God, was rumored to be a Grandmaster-level super expert.
Even Ironreach's overall chief, Denny Lin, was only at the early Innate stage. Compared to a behemoth like the Black Heaven Demonic Cult, he was nothing but an ant.
So, if the cargo they were escorting was really something the Black Heaven Demonic Cult wanted, and they tried to keep it, it could truly spell disaster for Ironreach.
"Well? Scared now? If you are, hurry up and untie me!" the masked cultist demanded.
"How do I know you're really from the Black Heaven Cult?"
Seamus Yang pressed again.
"What a joke! Who would dare pretend to be from the Black Heaven Cult? You must have a death wish!" the masked cultist said arrogantly.
Hearing that, Seamus Yang actually believed him. With the Black Heaven Demonic Cult's infamous reputation, no one would dare impersonate them.
"Untie them."
Seamus Yang said helplessly.
Though the Ironreach escorts were frustrated, they really couldn't afford to offend the Black Heaven Demonic Cult. So, they had no choice but to untie the more than twenty cultists.
Smack!
No sooner was he freed than the lead cultist slapped Denver Deng hard across the face, leaving five bright red finger marks.
Hatred flashed in Denver Deng's eyes, but faced with the cult's fearsome reputation, he could only endure it in silence.
"Weren't you pretty tough a minute ago? Why aren't you fighting back now?" the cultist mocked, his eyes full of contempt.
Smack!
Right after speaking, he slapped Denver Deng again.
"Friend, isn't that going too far?"
Seamus Yang couldn't help but speak up.
The cultist suddenly turned to glare at Seamus Yang. "Too far? Damn right I am! Nine of our people died tonight. Now, you send out nine men to die, hand over your cargo, and the rest of you can live. Otherwise, none of you are leaving here alive!"
"You're shouting about killing people on imperial soil. Looks like your Black Heaven Demonic Cult doesn't give a damn about the court!"
Just then, a voice suddenly rang out.
A tall, slender, handsome youth stepped down from the upper floor.
"Kid, who are you?"
A dangerous glint flashed in the cultist's eyes.
Ian Song said, "I'm the prefect heading to Frostmarch to take office!"
"Hah! Just a lowly prefect dares meddle in Black Heaven Cult business? You must have a death wish! Get him!" the cultist snarled.
Immediately, two Black Heaven Cult disciples lunged at Ian Song.
"Careful, Lord Song!"
The minor clerk, hiding to the side, quickly led the relay station staff to shield Ian Song.
"You do have a good heart," Ian Song said to the clerk, then flicked his fingers.
Thwack! Thwack!
Two blasts of force shot into the attackers' brows, and both collapsed instantly, dead.
"To attack a court official is rebellion—and means death!"
Ian Song's voice rang out again, full of authority.
The lead cultist was stunned. He hadn't expected this young prefect to be a martial expert—able to injure with Qi, a feat only Innate-level masters could achieve.
He himself was only late-stage Martial Master, and even with five or six Martial Masters among his men, fighting an Innate was a hopeless dream. Suddenly, he remembered how the escorts had mysteriously fallen earlier—could it have been this young prefect?
Thinking of this, he quickly forced a smile. "My lord, it's all a misunderstanding! Just a misunderstanding! The Black Heaven Cult and the court have always minded our own business. Please, my lord, give us some face. We'll leave as soon as we're done here!"
"Still trying to bargain with me? You must have a death wish!"
As he spoke, Ian Song waved his hand, sending dozens of Qi projectiles shooting toward the remaining cultists.
"You've got guts, attacking the Black Heaven Cult!"
Just then, a crisp, bell-like voice rang out. A blur of motion—and a flurry of sword shadows—shattered all the Qi projectiles Ian Song had sent out.